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Wednesday, December 3, 2014

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 228

Picture Book: The Rainbow Fish

Author & Illustrator: Marcus Pfister

Translator: J.
Alison James

Summary:
The title character, with rainbow scales of blue, green, purple, and sparkling silver, is the most beautiful fish in the ocean . Other fish call him Rainbow Fish
and want him to play, but he is too proud. When a small fish asks for one shiny
scale. Rainbow Fish responds angrily and selfishly. The other fish hear of this
rebuke so they begin turning away from Rainbow Fish when he swims near. Lonely and unable to show off to other fish, Rainbow Fish laments to Starfish
who sends him to the Wise Octopus who advises him to give a scale to each of
his friends. At first, he doesn’t think he can bear to give his scales away
until the original small fish returns and asks again for one shiny scale.
Rainbow Fish gives in. A good feeling comes upon Rainbow Fish as he sees the joy
the gift has given the small fish. Other fish come and ask for a glittering
scale. The more scales he gives away, the more delighted he becomes. When the
fish around him each have a shimmer, Rainbow Fish feels more at home among the
other fish so he joyfully joins their play.

Hanna’s Comments: My children loved this book when they were small. I still like
it because it emphasizes sharing, an important issue for children, and it
criticizes pride in appearance. Too often children are encouraged to show off
their new clothes, shoes, or hairstyles. Our Holy Scriptures and our
culture clash when it comes to the concepts of “pride” and “humility.” For this
reason our communities of faith have a tendency to avoid these issues. Also, these
two issues are confusing. When does confidence become pride? Does humility mean
being passive? Children learn these kinds of orientations early and struggle
with them throughout their adult years if there is not a balance between pride
and humility. Therefore, consider exploring the topics of pride and humility
tenderly and honestly in your faith family.

Scripture Connections: When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with
the humble is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2); Let another praise you, and not your own
mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2); God opposes the
proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children when
talking about the importance of sharing or the difficult balance of pride and
humility called for in our Holy Scriptures.

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